Everything felt loud.
Percy yelling.
Yuri cursing.
Aries arguing.
Keifer whispering my name like it was the last time he'd ever say it.
My chest felt tight, my head spinning.
Keifer said he couldn't tell me the truth yet.
He said he had to leave soon.
He said he'd come back for his inheritance and explain everything then.
Everything then.
Never now.
And something in me finally snapped.
I couldn't keep waiting for "later."
I couldn't keep letting other people choose what I deserved to know.
So I made my decision.
"Keifer," I whispered.
He leaned in, eyes full of hope he was too scared to show.
"Yes?"
"I'm sorry."
Before he could react, I shoved the door open.
The moment I stepped out, Percy grabbed my wrist like he thought I'd disappear if he let go.
"Jay-Jay—let's go. Now."
I nodded.
For once, I didn't hesitate.
I didn't look back.
I didn't wait for permission.
Percy pulled me toward his car, the rain starting to fall, drops splashing on the pavement like they were chasing us.
Behind me, I heard Keifer shout—
"JAY-JAY WAIT!"
But Percy tightened his grip and whispered, "Don't look back. Please."
And I listened.
For once, I chose myself.
We got into Percy's car, and the second the doors slammed shut, he locked them and hit the gas. Tires screeched. Lights blurred. My heart pounded like it was trying to break out of my chest.
"Percy…" I breathed, shaking.
He didn't look at me.
His jaw was tight, eyes focused on the road.
"We're going to the airport. No more waiting. No more giving them chances to drag you back."
"Are you sure?" I whispered.
"Yes," he said, voice firm but full of something… gentle. "You deserve to leave. You deserve peace."
My vision blurred with tears I didn't even realize were falling.
Behind us, through the rain-soaked mirror, I saw Keifer running after the car.
His face twisted in panic.
Yuri holding him back.
Aries shouting something I couldn't hear.
When did he get here and why did I just realize this.
And then… they disappeared behind the curve of the road.
Gone.
I leaned back, chest aching but strangely… lighter.
Percy's hand slowly reached over and squeezed mine.
"I got you," he whispered.
And for the first time that day, I believed him.
When we reached the airport, we didn't talk.
We didn't tell anyone.
We didn't say goodbye.
We bought the tickets in silence.
We boarded in silence.
We sat side by side in silence as the plane door closed.
Right before takeoff, Percy looked at me.
"Jay-Jay," he said softly. "No matter what happens next… you're not alone, okay?"
I breathed out slowly, finally feeling something warm inside my chest.
"Okay."
As the plane lifted off the ground, the city grew smaller beneath us.
Keifer.Section E.The Black SUV.All of it.
Fading away.
And I didn't know what would happen when he came back from getting his inheritance…
If he'll try to find me
If he finally tells me everything…and when all the secrets exploded into the open.
But for now?
I was gone.
Really gone.
And for the first time in a long time…
I felt free.